Shiitake Mushroom Production: Spawn, Soup and Everything In Between

As part of our Beginning Farmer Summer Workshop Series, NOFA-NY and Green Mushroom Growers present - Shiitake Mushroom Production: Spawn, Soup and Everything In Between.
Join us & learn what it takes to be a shiitake mushroom farmer!

There will be a hands-on portion of the day, during which you will participate in all aspects of preparing a mushroom log. On our assembly line we’ll drill holes in the logs, fill them with mushroom spores, and seal the logs with wax.

In small groups, you will also learn about the topics listed below.
Seasonal Time Table: Life cycle of shiitake in cultivation
Forest Management: Shiitake log selection, Safety & Ergonomics
Site Assessment and Design: Basic elements of a good laying yard
Enterprise Analysis: Markets, Production Costs, Income/Expense Projections,Value-Added Products

You will get to meet and connect with the other workshop participants through a shared leisurely lunch at mid-day (provided).  Green Heron Growers is the host of a summer music festival, and they welcome participants in the workshop to bring instruments in case of a random act of music seems appropriate at lunchtime.

Learning Objectives:
Find out if you and your land are suited for shiitake farming
Experience shiitake spring log inoculation
Understand shiitake spawn & substrate selection
Assess viability of shiitake as a specialty crop

About the Hosts: Green Heron Growers is owned and operated by Steve & Julie Rockcastle. Together they grow certified organic shiitake mushrooms, chickens and eggs, and vegetables on their 200-acre farm in Sherman, NY. They also raise 100% grass-fed beef cows. Steve & Julie have been growing shiitake mushrooms since 2007 and manage 1,400 logs of red oak, beech, and sugar maple. They are currently the largest shiitake producers in western and central New York State. Mushrooms are sold to local restaurants, farmer’s market customers and directly from the farm store. 

Visit our shopping store to register for this workshop! This event is available free to NOFA-NY Members (sign up for membership during our April membership drive for just $10—see www.nofany.org/membershipdrive), and at a cost of $15 to non-members.  Though it is geared toward beginning farmers, we welcome anybody who would find the information and experience useful!  Some scholarships may be available, please contact Rachel at (585) 271-1979 ext. 511 for more information.

Please Note: Working on the mushroom logs is not difficult, though some heavy lifting may be
required. Please wear clothing for outdoors, gloves and footwear that you won’t mind
getting dirty with wax and wood debris.
 

This event is supported by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA, Grant # 2010-49400-2184.